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Raleigh, N.C. — The Raleigh City Council adopted an ordinance that prohibits private use of park space unless business owners meet certain conditions. The conditions include providing a certificate of insurance, clearing the city of all liability and receiving permission from the department head of parks, recreation, and cultural resources.

Scott Payne, the assistant director of PRCR, said the issue of businesses using park space and greenway trails came to them from complaints of citizens. PRCR then began to investigate the issue, revealing that businesses were utilizing the park space and greenway trails for a variety of purposes.

These uses included marathon training, stroller fitness, obstacle course training, car detailing and washing, and off leash dog training. Because the businesses owners were operating without a COI that cleared the city of Raleigh from all liability, if someone were to be injured during these activities, the city could have been sued.